Flooded Lead Acid
Starting, Lighting, & Ignition Batteries
Tried and True: Flooded Lead-Acid Batteries
FLAs are still the most common battery for automotive applications. That's because they are easy to maintain, long-lasting and cost-effective. We carry best-in-class FLA batteries that will get you where you need to go — whether around the corner or across the country.
Ideal for: Automotive, commercial vehicles
What is a Lead-Acid Battery?
In its simplest form, a battery is a device that stores chemical energy and converts it to electrical energy.
Batteries have three main components:
- Anode (the negative side), where energy flows out of the battery.
- Cathode (the positive side), where energy flows into the battery.
- Electrolyte, a liquid or gel that reacts with the anode and cathode.
In a lead-acid battery, the anode is connected to lead plates on one side of the box, and the cathode is connected to lead dioxide plates on the opposite side. The middle is made up of alternating lead and lead dioxide plates surrounded by sulfuric acid (the electrolyte).
When the reaction is initiated, a current flows from the lead oxide cathode to the lead anode. The lead gives up electrons that the lead dioxide accepts, converting both plates into solid lead sulfate. The supply of energy and external resistance discharges the battery.
Flooded (or wet cell) batteries contain liquid that is a mixture of sulfuric acid and distilled water. Flooded batteries release gas as they discharge and need to be placed upright to prevent leaking. Flooded batteries also need to be watered from time to time to remain in good working condition.
How to Charge a Car Battery
Click. Click. It’s a sound no car owner wants to hear. The key’s in the ignition, you’re ready to ride, but the engine won’t turn over.
A dead battery is, at best, inconvenient — and it can even be dangerous if it leaves you stranded.
6 Common Semi-Truck Battery Problems and What to Do About Them
You rely on your semi-truck to do your job safely and comfortably. The battery that powers your rig needs to be able to withstand the daily rigors and long hauls, extreme weather, unpredictable road conditions and the power demands of in-cabin electronics.
Conventional FLA vs. AGM: Recommending the Best Automotive Battery for Your Customers
Most of your customers probably haven’t thought about their car battery — so when it’s time for a replacement, they may be surprised to learn there are options beyond the OEM model supplied by the manufacturer. In this post, we’ll compare two popular battery types: conventional flooded lead-acid (FLA) and absorbed glass mat (AGM).